JP2007007153A - Electric washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a new drum type washing machine with improved washing and rinsing performance. <P>SOLUTION: The drum type washing machine 1 comprises a washing tub 3, a foam separation tub 10, washing water introducing channels 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24 for circulating washing water between the washing tub 3 and the foam separation tub 10, and washing water return channels 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34. The foam separation device 10 comprises a treatment tub 11 for storing washing water to the same level as in the washing tub 3, a bubble feeding device 14 for feeding bubbles from below, and a foam tub 15 connected above the treatment tub 11. Foam can be effectively separated by the foam separation device 10. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electric washing machine, and more particularly to an electric washing machine with improved rinsing performance.

Patent Document 1 includes foam creating means for creating foam from the washing liquid, and foam separating means for separating the foam created by the foam creating means from the liquid, and the washing liquid from which the foam has been separated is placed in the washing tub. There has been proposed a washing machine in which the rinsing time is reduced to a short time and a small number of times.
Moreover, in order to isolate | separate the surfactant which is a detergent component from washing water, it is disclosed by the said patent document 1 and the patent document 2 that a foam separation method can be utilized.

Furthermore, Patent Document 3 discloses a foam breaking device that breaks foam containing detergent components separated by foam separation from washing water used for washing to obtain a surfactant-mixed liquid by foam breaking. It is disclosed.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-19392 Japanese Patent Publication No.54-8022 Japanese Patent No. 3144912

In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the washing water in the washing tub is pumped up by a pump and given to the foam creating unit. For this reason, the water level in a foam preparation part is unstable, and there exists a subject that foam separation is difficult to perform favorably. Further, the washing machine described in Patent Document 1 is not improved in both washing performance and rinsing performance.
Patent Document 2 shows a configuration of foam separation, but does not teach use in a washing machine.

Patent Document 3 proposes an apparatus for separating a surfactant mixture from a washing liquid, but does not teach organically incorporating this apparatus in the construction of a washing machine.
The main object of the present invention is to provide a novel electric washing machine in which both the washing performance and the rinsing performance are improved by improving the idea described in Patent Document 1 of the background art.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electric washing machine with improved rinsing performance and capable of correctly detecting the end of rinsing.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a water-saving electric washing machine that can purify and reuse rinse water.

  The invention according to claim 1 contains laundry and washing water, and a washing tub for washing and rinsing the laundry by stirring them, and using foam to separate the detergent components in the washing water Foam separation device for cleaning, a washing water introduction channel for introducing washing water of the washing tub into the foam separation device, and washing water for returning the washing water accumulated in the foam separation device to the washing tub The foam separation device is incorporated so as not to protrude upward from the washing tub, and has a treatment tub that accumulates wash water up to a predetermined water level. An electric washing machine comprising a pump for sending washing water.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the arrangement position of the foam separation device is set such that a predetermined water level in the treatment tank is equal to a water level of the washing water in the washing tank. The electric washing machine according to Item 1.
A third aspect of the invention is the electric washing machine according to the second aspect, wherein a discharge port connected to the washing water reducing flow path is provided at a lower end of the treatment tank.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the washing water reduction flow path has one end connected to the discharge port of the treatment tank, and the other end connected to the water channel connected to the upper side of the washing tub and the other end of the water channel. The electric washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising a shower nozzle, wherein the pump is inserted in the middle of the water channel.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the foam separating apparatus includes a bubble supply means for supplying bubbles to the processing tank from below, and the bubble supply means is in the processing tank, and is provided in the discharge port. The electric washing machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the electric washing machine is disposed above.
In the invention according to claim 6, the washing water introduction flow path has one end connected to the drain of the washing tub and the other end having a tip opening opened upward above the bubble supply means in the treatment tub. And a switching valve provided in the middle of the water channel and below the washing tub, wherein the switching valve is connected to a drainage channel that extends separately from the cleaning water introduction channel. The electric washing machine according to claim 5.

The invention described in claim 7 is characterized in that the washing tub includes an outer tub in which washing water can be stored, and a rotating drum tub that is provided in the outer tub and that stores and rotates laundry. It is a washing machine of Claim 6 characterized by the above-mentioned.
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the rotation axis of the washing tub is inclined within a range of 10 to 30 ° with respect to the horizontal direction so that the front end face is inclined upward. It is a washing machine of description.

  The invention according to claim 9 is characterized in that the foam separation device has a foam tank that is continuously provided above the processing tank and is tapered upward so that a horizontal sectional area gradually decreases. It has a foam flow path connected to the upper end of a foam tank, and a foam breaking device for breaking the foam sent from this foam flow path into a solution. An electric washing machine according to claim 1.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the bubble breaking device is configured to fly disk-shaped rotating blades arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in which bubbles are dropped on an upper surface radially outward by centrifugal force. The electric washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising: a motor for rotating the rotating blades; and a wall surface surrounding the rotating blades, and the foamed foam is crushed into a solution and flows downward. is there.

The invention according to claim 11 is the electric washing machine according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising foam detection means for detecting foam sent from the foam tank to the foam breaking device. .
The invention described in claim 12 is an outer tub capable of storing washing water, and a washing tub provided in the outer tub and having a rotating drum tub serving as a washing / dehydrating tub that accommodates and rotates laundry and washing water. A foam separation device for separating detergent components in the wash water using foam, a washing water introduction channel for introducing the wash water of the washing tub into the foam separation device, and the foam separation device. A washing water return passage having a pump for returning the accumulated washing water to the washing tub, a water storage tank for storing the washing water after being used for rinsing in the washing tub, and the water storage tank An electrolyzer for electrolyzing to purify the washed water and a filter, and the purified washing water stored in the water storage tank is filtered using a pump provided in the washing water reduction flow path. Pass through and wash An electric washing machine which comprises a re-feed means for returning to the bath, a.

A thirteenth aspect of the invention is the electric washing machine according to the twelfth aspect, characterized in that the electric water washing machine is provided in the water storage tank and has stirring means for stirring the stored washing water.
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, during the rinsing step of rinsing the laundry in the washing tub, a part of the rinsing water is taken out from the washing tub through the washing water introduction channel and introduced into the foam separation device. It has a control means for carrying out foam separation rinsing, in which the detergent component in the rinse water is separated, and the washing water from which the detergent component has been separated is returned to the washing tub by the washing water reduction flow path. It is a washing machine in any one of 1-13.

The invention according to claim 15 further includes means for detecting the water level of the washing tub, and includes means for adding tap water to the washing tub based on the water level detected by the water level detection means during the rinsing step. The electric washing machine according to claim 14.
The invention according to claim 16 includes a bubble detection means for detecting a bubble, and has a determination means for determining the end of the rinsing step based on the fact that the bubble detection means no longer detects the bubble. The washing machine according to claim 15, characterized in that it is a washing machine.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the washing water in the washing tub is introduced into the foam separation device using the washing water introduction flow path, and the washing water after the detergent component in the washing water is separated in the foam separation device. Then, it can be returned to the washing tub using the washing water reduction channel. Since the foam separation device is incorporated so as not to protrude upward from the washing tub, the foam separation device does not become too tall as a product and can be incorporated well in the housing. Moreover, the detergent component in washing water can be favorably separated using foam. The washing water from which the detergent components are separated is smoothly returned to the washing tub by the pump.

In the invention according to claim 2, since the water level of the washing water in the treatment tank and the water level of the washing tank are set to be equal to each other, when the washing water of the washing tank is introduced into the treatment tank, gravity Can be used. That is, the washing water introduction channel can be a communication channel that connects the washing tub and the treatment tank of the foam separation device.
In the invention according to claim 2, if the water level of the washing tub is controlled, the water level of the foam separation tank can also be controlled, so that the water level can be unified and the water level is stabilized. Moreover, there is also an effect that the cleaning water can be easily introduced into the foam separation tank.

In invention of Claim 3, since the discharge port is provided in the lower end of a processing tank, all the washing water introduced in the processing tank can be discharged | emitted using a discharge port, and use of a foam separation apparatus is possible. When it is finished, no washing water remains in the treatment tank. Therefore, the remaining washing water can prevent unsanitary conditions such as propagation of spiders and germs.
In the invention according to claim 4, since the reduction flow path includes a pump and a shower nozzle for forcibly sending the wash water, when returning the wash water of the foam separator to the washing tub, On the other hand, washing water can be sprayed like a shower. Therefore, in the washing process, the washing water sprayed from the shower nozzle (washing water from which the detergent components are not separated) is evenly distributed on the laundry, and the washing performance is improved. In the rinsing step, the washing water sprayed from the shower nozzle (washing water from which the detergent components are separated) is distributed to the laundry, so that the rinsing performance is improved.

In the fifth aspect of the invention, since the bubble supply means is disposed above the discharge port, the generated bubbles do not hinder pumping of the washing water from the discharge port.
According to invention of Claim 6, the washing water of a washing tub can be introduce | transduced into a processing tank of a foam separation apparatus using gravity by switching a switching valve. In addition, the washing water in the washing tub can be drained from the drainage channel using gravity by switching the switching valve. In this way, the washing water can be taken out from the drain of the washing tub by gravity falling using gravity.

In invention of Claim 7, the rotating drum type washing machine provided with the foam separation apparatus can be comprised favorably. That is, it is possible to effectively use the empty space on the rear end face side of the outer tub and arrange the foam separation device.
In the invention described in claim 8, the drum type washing machine can be a so-called oblique drum type washing machine in which the laundry can be easily taken in and out. Moreover, a foam separation apparatus can be favorably arrange | positioned using the empty space in the rear-end surface side of an outer tank.

In invention of Claim 9, the foam containing the detergent component isolate | separated with the foam tank of the foam separation apparatus can be broken, and it can be set as a detergent solution.
In the invention according to the tenth aspect, since the foam breaking device has the rotating blades and the peripheral wall, the foam can be efficiently broken into a detergent solution.
In invention of Claim 11, the bubble generation | occurrence | production means can detect the generation amount of the bubble isolate | separated with the foam separation apparatus.

  In the invention described in claim 12, in addition to the function and effect of the invention described in claim 1, the wash water after being used for rinsing can be stored in a water storage tank, and the wash water can be purified by electrolysis. When supplying the cleaning water after purification to the washing tub, since it is performed using the pump provided in the cleaning water reduction flow path, it is not necessary to add a dedicated pump. Further, since the electric washing machine is a drum type washing machine, the water storage tank can be arranged by effectively utilizing the empty space generated below the outer tub.

In the invention described in claim 13, when purifying the washing water in the water storage tank, the purification time can be shortened by the stirring means. That is, the electrolytic component generated by the electrolyzer can be spread in the wash water in a short time by the stirring means, thereby promoting the purification of the wash water.
In the invention according to the fourteenth aspect, the detergent component can be separated by the foam separation device only during the rinsing step, and the rinsing operation with improved rinsing performance can be performed.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, since the water level of the washing tub is maintained at a constant water level during the rinsing step, the washing tub can be rinsed well and the detergent components in the foam separation tank can be well separated.
In the invention of claim 16, the detergent component in the wash water in the washing tub can be detected using the output of the foam detection means, and the end point of rinsing can be correctly determined.

As described above, according to the electric washing machine of the present invention, the washing performance is improved in the washing process by circulating the washing water between the washing tub and the foam separation device and controlling the operation of the foam separation device. The rinsing performance is improved in the rinsing process, and the electric washing machine can be highly practical and can be rinsed in a short time.
Moreover, according to this invention, it can be set as the electric washing machine which can purify | clean the wash water used for the rinse effectively, and can reuse wash water.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The electric washing machine in FIG. 1 is a so-called oblique drum type washing machine. In the drum type washing machine 1, an outer tub 4 as a washing tub 3 and a rotating drum tub 5 are obliquely provided in a housing 2. A motor 6 is provided behind the outer tank 4 (on the right side in FIG. 1), and the rotating drum tank 5 is rotated by the motor 6. The front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the washing tub 3 is opened as a laundry entrance / exit. This opening is closed by a lid 7 provided in the housing 2 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  A foam separation device 10 is provided obliquely below the rear of the outer tub 4. The foam separating apparatus 10 includes a processing tank 11 for storing cleaning water, an air stone (aeration pipe) 12 provided below the processing tank 11 and an air pump 13, and an upper part of the processing tank 11. And a continuous foam tank 15. The air pump 13 constituting the bubble supply device 14 is provided outside and below the processing tank 11, and the air stone 12 is disposed near the inner bottom surface of the processing tank 11. When air is supplied from the air pump 13 to the air stone 12, a large number of bubbles rise from the air stone 12. The air stone 12 has a disk shape that is close to the inner diameter of the processing tank 11 in plan view and is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the processing tank 11.

  In the treatment tank 11, washing water can be stored up to a predetermined water level, specifically near the boundary between the treatment tank 11 and the foam tank 15. In this embodiment, the water level of the washing water in the treatment tank 11 is made equal to the water level of the washing water in the washing tank 3. More specifically, as will be described later, the washing tub 3 and the treatment tub 11 are in communication with each other so that the level of the washing water in the washing tub 3 and the level of the washing water in the treatment tub 11 are equalized by the atmospheric pressure. Has been.

  The foam tank 15 provided continuously above the processing tank 11 has an upwardly tapered shape so that the horizontal sectional area gradually decreases upward. The foam tank 15 is a tank that guides the foam of the detergent component that springs up from the surface of the washing water upward, and the foam can be efficiently guided upward by forming the upward tapered shape. Thereby, foam separation in foam separation device 10 can be performed effectively.

  A drain port 20 is formed at the lowest position of the outer tub 4. A first flow path 21 extending downward is communicated with the drain port 20, and a lower end of the first flow path 21 is connected to the first valve 22. One end of the second flow path 23 is connected to the first valve 22, and the other end of the second flow path 23 enters the processing tank 11 and becomes a tip opening 24 that opens upward in the processing tank 11. ing. The first valve 22 is also connected to the upper end of the drainage channel 25, and the lower end of the drainage channel 25 extends to the outside of the housing 2.

  In this embodiment, the first flow path 21, the first valve 22, and the second flow path 23 constitute a washing water introduction flow path. That is, by switching the first valve 22 to connect the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 23, the washing water in the washing tub 3 is processed through the drain port 20, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 23. It can be introduced into the tank 11. The washing water introduced into the treatment tank 11 is automatically stopped when the water level becomes equal to the washing water level in the washing tub 3.

  A discharge port 30 is formed on the bottom surface of the processing tank 11. One end of the third flow path 31 communicates with the discharge port 30, and the other end of the third flow path 31 is connected to the pump 32. Further, one end of the fourth flow path 33 is connected to the pump 32, and the other end of the fourth flow path 33 faces the laundry tub 3 from the front upper side of the washing tub 3. A shower nozzle 34 is attached to the other end of the fourth flow path 33.

Therefore, when the pump 32 is driven, the washing water stored in the treatment tank 11 is pumped out from the discharge port 30, passes through the third flow path 31 and the fourth flow path 33, and enters the washing tub 3 from the shower nozzle 34. Be injected. That is, the washing water is sprayed from above on the laundry accommodated in the washing tub 3 (rotating drum tub 5).
One end of the bubble channel 35 is communicated with the upper end of the foam tank 15, and the other end of the bubble channel 35 is connected to the bubble breaker 36. It is preferable that the bubble channel 35 is inclined so that the foam tank 15 side is lowered. The upper end of the fifth flow path 37 communicates with the bubble breaker 36, and the lower end of the fifth flow path 35 merges with the drainage path 25.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the foam breaking device 36, (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the rotating blades and the bubble detection means viewed in plan, and (b) is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration.
The bubble breaking device 36 includes a bottomed cylindrical container 41, a disk-shaped rotating blade 42 disposed substantially horizontally in the container 41, and a motor 43 provided below the rotating blade 42. ing. The other end 44 of the bubble channel 35 enters the container 41 from the upper lid 45 of the container 41 and faces the upper surface of the rotary blade 42. When a large number of bubbles made of detergent components are sent through the bubble channel 35, the bubbles fall from the other end 44 of the bubble channel 35 to the center of the upper surface of the rotary blade 42.

  A plurality of guide protrusions 46 are formed radially on the upper surface of the rotary blade 42. The rotating blades 42 are rotated at high speed by the motor 43. For this reason, the foam that has dropped onto the center of the upper surface of the rotating blade 42 is blown radially outward while being guided by the guide protrusion 46 due to the centrifugal force generated by the rotating blade 42 and collides with the inner wall surface 47 of the container 41. The bumped foam is crushed and becomes a solution, flows down along the inner wall 47, and accumulates on the bottom surface of the container 41.

  In the vicinity of the upper lid 45 of the container 41, a pair of optical sensors as foam detection means is provided as a foam detection sensor 48. The paired light sensors (bubble detection sensors) 48 detect that bubbles are overflowing on the rotating blades 42 because bubbles are present between them and light is blocked. Normally, the foam detection sensor 48 does not detect the foam, but when the foam is detected, the foam is abnormally supplied to the foam breaking device 36, and the amount exceeds the foam breaking ability of the foam breaking device 36. This is a state where bubbles are present. In such a state, the operation of the foam separation device 10 is stopped.

The detergent solution accumulated below the container 41 flows to the drainage channel 25 through the fifth channel 37 and is discharged.
The lower end of the fifth channel 37 is not joined to the drainage channel 25, and a detergent solution storage tank is provided at the lower end of the fifth channel 37 to store the detergent solution produced by crushing bubbles by the foam breaking device 36. It may be configured to be reused for the next washing or the like.

FIG. 3 is another configuration example of the foam breaking device 36, in which only the configuration of the foam detection means is changed. The bubble detection means may be an electrode type sensor 49 instead of the optical sensor 48 as shown in FIG. The electrode type sensor (bubble detection sensor) 49 detects the presence of bubbles when the bubbles come into contact with the lower end thereof.
4 (a) and 4 (b) show configuration examples in the case where a foam detection sensor is provided in the foam separation device 10, respectively. As shown in FIG. 4 (a), a pair of optical sensors 50 are provided in the middle of the foam tank 15 of the foam separation apparatus 10, preferably near the top so that the bubbles in the foam tank 15 can be detected. Also good.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4 (b), the bubble detection sensor can be constituted by an electrode type sensor 51.
Note that the bubble detection sensor can be arranged not at the bubble tank 15 but at any position of the bubble channel 35.
As will be described later, these bubble detection sensors can be used to stop the operation of the foam separation device 10 when too many bubbles are generated. Moreover, based on not detecting a bubble, it can use for judgment that the washing water was purified.

Next, an outline of the operation of the drum type washing machine 1 will be described.
(1) Washing process The laundry is washed while rotating the rotating drum tank 5. At this time, the first valve 22 is switched to communicate the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 23. Therefore, cleaning water at the same water level as the washing tub 3 is stored in the processing tank 11. The bubble supply device 14 is not operated.

The pump 32 is driven, and the cleaning water in the treatment tank 11 is pumped up through the discharge port 30, the third flow path 31 and the fourth flow path 33 and is sprayed into the washing tub 33 from the shower nozzle 34.
Thus, in the washing step, the washing water containing the detergent component is circulated between the washing tub 3 and the foam separation device 10 without the detergent component being separated in the foam separation device 10.
If the first valve 22 is closed, the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 23 are not communicated, and the pump 32 is not operated, a washing operation similar to that of a conventional drum type washing machine is performed. You can also.
(2) Rinsing Step The first valve 22 is switched so as to communicate the first flow path 21 and the second flow path 23. Further, the pump 32 is driven. Therefore, the washing water is circulated between the washing tub 3 and the foam separation device 10.

The bubble supply device 14 of the foam separation device 10 is operated. For this reason, bubbles generated from the air stone 12 rise in the cleaning water stored in the treatment tank 11, and at that time, the detergent components (surfactant and the like) contained in the cleaning water are adsorbed and bubbles are generated from the water surface. . The foam that rises is guided in the foam tank 15, and is given to the foam breaking device 36 through the foam flow path 35.
In the foam breaking device 36, the foam is removed to obtain a concentrated solution of detergent components. The solution falls through the fifth channel 35 and is drained from the drainage channel 25.

The wash water pumped out from the treatment tank 11 through the drain port 30, the third flow path 31 and the fourth flow path 33 is a wash water with a reduced amount of detergent components from which the detergent components are separated. By rinsing the washing water from the shower nozzle 34 onto the laundry, good rinsing can be performed.
Thus, by rinsing while circulating the washing water from which the detergent components are separated as foam, the rinsing performance is improved, and as a result, the number of times of rinsing and the rinsing time are reduced as compared with a normal rinsing operation. It is possible.

Such rinsing is defined herein as "foam separation rinsing".
During the foam separation rinsing, the water level of the washing water in the washing tub 3 is detected by a water level sensor (not shown), and when the water level drops, tap water is supplied from a water supply channel (not shown) It is desirable to keep the washing water level constant. When the water level of the washing water in the washing tub 3 is kept constant, rinsing can be performed well, and the water level of the washing water in the foam separation device 10 is also kept constant, so that a stable foam separation process can be performed.

  When the bubble separation sensor 10 includes the bubble detection sensor 50 or 51 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the bubble detection sensor 50 or 51 detects the bubble from the start of the operation of the bubble supply device 14. The amount of foaming can be estimated by measuring the time until. And when there is much foaming amount, since there are many detergent components contained in washing water, a rinse time is lengthened. On the contrary, when the foaming amount is small, since the detergent component in the washing water is small, the rinsing time is shortened. As described above, the foam separation and rinsing time can be controlled to an optimum time based on the output of the foam detection sensor 50 or 51.

Further, the amount of air supplied by the bubble supply device 14 may be adjusted according to the estimated amount of foaming. For example, when the amount of foaming is larger than a specified value, it is preferable to stop the supply of air, change the “foam separation rinse” to a normal rinse, and continue the rinse.
Furthermore, when the estimated amount of foaming is small, the supply of air may be stopped and the “foam separation rinsing” may be changed to the normal rinsing to continue the rinsing.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, when the bubble breaker 36 is provided with the bubble detection sensor 48 or 49, the operation of the foam separation device 10 is performed so as not to exceed the bubble breakage capability of the bubble breaker 36. Can be controlled. That is, when the bubble detection sensor 48 or 49 detects bubbles, the amount of foaming is too large, so the bubble supply device 14 is stopped or the amount of air supplied by the bubble supply device 14 is reduced. This switches from “foam separation rinse” to normal rinse, but the rinse is continued.

On the other hand, when the bubble detection sensor 48 or 49 does not detect the bubble, the bubble breaking device 36 has a sufficient bubble breaking ability, so the amount of air supplied by the bubble feeding device 14 is increased to increase the ability of foam separation, The rinsing time can be shortened.
Various designs are possible as to how much the rinsing time is reduced by performing foam separation rinsing, or whether the number of rinsings is changed as compared with the case of normal rinsing.

Of course, it is possible to perform normal rinsing without performing foam separation rinsing. That is, normal rinsing can be performed in the drum type washing machine 1 unless the first valve 22 is closed and the bubble supply device 14 and the pump 32 are operated.
Furthermore, it is possible to accurately detect the end point of rinsing based on the output of the foam detection sensor 50 or 51 provided in the foam separation device 10.

  That is, the foam separation rinse reduces the detergent component in the wash water, and eventually the foam is not generated in the foam separation device. That is, the bubble detection sensor 50 or 51 does not detect bubbles. Therefore, when the foam detection sensor 50 or 51 no longer detects foam, it is possible to determine that the detergent component contained in the washing water is equal to or less than a predetermined value, and to control the rinsing process to end.

As a result, it is not necessary to set a longer rinsing time with a margin as in the past, and it is possible to determine that rinsing has been completed when the detergent components are actually gone from the wash water. There can be enough time.
Therefore, the overall washing time can be shortened.
(3) Drainage process After completion of the foam separation and rinsing, the first valve 22 is closed and the pump 32 is driven to reduce all the washing water in the treatment tank 11 to the washing tub 31. Thereafter, the pump 32 is stopped, the first valve 22 is switched, the first flow path 21 and the drainage path 25 are connected, and the washing water in the washing tub 3 is drained.

Thereby, the washing water does not remain in the foam separating apparatus 10 and is hygienic.
Such waste water treatment may be performed even after the washing step.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an electric washing machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The electric washing machine of FIG. 5 is also a so-called diagonal drum type washing machine. The drum type washing machine 60 is different from the drum type washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1 as follows.

A water storage tank 61 is arranged using an empty space generated below the washing tub 3. The water storage tank 61 is fixed to the lower part of the housing 2.
A sixth channel 64 communicates with the upper part of the water storage tank 61. The sixth channel 64 has three ends, the first end communicates with the water storage tank 61, and the second end is connected to the first valve 22. Furthermore, the third end is connected to a fourth valve 65 inserted into the fourth flow path 33. By switching the first valve 22 to connect the first flow path 21 and the sixth flow path 64, the wash water in the washing tub 3 can be dropped into the water storage tank 61 and stored in the water storage tank 61.

The inner bottom surface 61 of the water storage tank 61 has a hopper shape, and a discharge port 63 is formed at the bottom. A second valve 66 is connected to the discharge port 63. One end of a seventh channel 67 is connected to the second valve 66, and the other end of the seventh channel 67 communicates with the drainage channel 25.
A third valve 68 is inserted into the third flow path 31 on the front side of the pump 32 when viewed in the flow direction of the washing water. The third valve 68 and the second valve 66 are connected by a bypass channel 69 and also by an eighth channel 70. A filter 71 is inserted into the eighth flow path 70.

In the water storage tank 61, a pair of electrodes 72 included in the electrolyzer is disposed. The electrode 72 is attached to the water storage tank 61 in a suspended manner and is detachable. Further, a stirring device 73 for stirring water accumulated in the water storage tank 61 is provided.
The configuration other than the added configuration in the drum type washing machine 60 is the same as that of the drum type washing machine 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

Similarly to the drum type washing machine 1, the drum type washing machine 60 can perform foam separation and rinsing. That is, the drum type washing machine 60 can execute the same washing process, rinsing process, and draining process as those described in the operation of the drum type washing machine 1.
The drum type washing machine 60 can further purify the washing water after being used in the rinsing process by using the water storage tank 61, and can reuse the purified water for the next washing. . Hereinafter, the operation of the water storage process to the water storage tank 61, the purification process, and the washing water reuse process will be described.
(4) Water storage process For example, after foam separation rinsing is completed, the first valve 22 is closed, the third valve 68 is switched to connect the third flow path 31 to the pump 32, and the fourth valve 65 is switched to switch the fourth flow. The shower nozzle 34 in the passage 33 is communicated with the pump 32, and all the washing water in the foam separation device 10 is returned to the washing tub 3.

Then, the first valve 22 is switched, the first flow path 21 and the sixth flow path 64 are communicated, and the wash water in the washing tub 3 is stored through the drain port 20, the first flow path 21 and the sixth flow path 64. Move to tank 61. When the washing water in the washing tub 3 runs out, the first valve 22 is switched to connect the first flow path 21 and the drainage path 25, and the process proceeds to the dehydration process.
The wash water stored in the water storage tank 61 may be the wash water used in the final rinse in addition to the wash water used in the foam separation rinse.
(5) Purification process In parallel with the dehydration process or after the dehydration process, the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 61 is purified.

  First, a voltage is applied to the electrode 72. In this embodiment, the electrode 72 is made of aluminum. When voltage is applied to the aluminum electrode and electrolysis is performed, the aluminum on the anode side dissolves as aluminum ions. Aluminum ions combine with dirt components and detergent components in the washing water to aggregate and precipitate dirt components and detergent components. In parallel with the electrolytic treatment using the electrode 72, the washing water in the water storage tank 61 may be stirred by the stirring device 73.

  In parallel with the electrolytic treatment, the second valve 66 is switched to connect the discharge port 63 and the bypass channel 69, and the third valve 68 is switched to connect the bypass channel 69 and the third channel 31. The fourth valve 65 is switched to connect the fourth flow path 33 and the sixth flow path 64. In this state, by driving the pump 32, the washing water in the water storage tank 61 is passed through the bypass flow path 69 → the third flow path 31 → the pump 32 → the fourth flow path 33 → the sixth flow path 64 → the water storage tank 61. It can be circulated. Wash water is agitated by this circulation. Therefore, either one of the above-described stirring device 73 or the configuration for the circulation may be omitted.

In the circulation treatment, the pump 32 is driven with “strong” and circulated with a strong water flow during the electrolytic treatment and until a predetermined time elapses after the electrolytic treatment. It is desirable to drive with “weak” and circulate with weak water flow. Thereby, the flock of a stain | pollution | contamination and a detergent component can be formed favorable.
(6) Cleaning Water Reuse Step When the purified cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 61 is reused, that is, in the water supply operation at the time of the next washing, first, the second valve 66 is switched and the discharge port 63 is switched. And the seventh flow path 67 communicate with each other, and the aggregated sediment accumulated on the inner bottom surface 62 of the water storage tank 61 is discharged.

  Thereafter, the second valve 66 is switched to allow the discharge port 63 and the eighth flow path 70 to communicate with each other. Further, the third valve 68 and the fourth valve 65 are switched to open the path of the eighth flow path 70 → the third flow path 31 → the pump 32 → the fourth flow path 33 → the shower nozzle 34. Then, the pump 32 is driven, and the purified cleaning water in the water storage tank 61 is pumped up by the pump 32 through the filter 71 and supplied from the shower nozzle 34 to the washing tub 3. When there is a deficiency in the washing water for the next washing stored in the washing tub 3, tap water is supplied by a water supply device (not shown).

In the above description, the electrode 72 has been described as an aluminum electrode, but the electrode 72 may be formed of a soluble metal electrode such as iron, manganese, zinc, or the like.
Alternatively, the electrode 72 may be an insoluble metal electrode such as Pt, Ir, Ru, or Pd. When electrolysis is performed using such an insoluble metal electrode, the cleaning water stored in the water storage tank 61 can be sterilized with hypochlorous acid or active oxygen generated by electrolysis. The washing water after the foam separation and the washing water after the final rinsing are relatively clean water and have few dirt components. Therefore, the washing water may be sterilized by electrolysis using the non-soluble metal electrode as described above instead of the soluble metal electrode to purify the washing water.

Furthermore, a chemical solution charging device may be added to the upper part of the water storage tank 61. The chemical solution charging device is a device that loads, for example, a flocculant or a disinfectant into the water storage tank 61. The washing water stored in the water storage tank 61 can be purified by the flocculant and the disinfecting liquid that are input.
In addition, when the chemical | medical solution injection | throwing-in apparatus is provided, the structure regarding the said electrode 72 may be abbreviate | omitted. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

It is a composition outline figure of electric washing concerning one embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the bubble breaking device 36, (a) is a diagram showing the configuration of the rotating blades and the bubble detection means in plan view, (b) is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration. It is a structure schematic diagram which shows the other structural example of the foam breaking apparatus. (A) (b) is a figure which shows the structural example in the case of providing a foam detection sensor in the foam separation apparatus 10, respectively. It is a structure schematic diagram of the electric washing machine which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1, 60 drum type washing machine (electric washing machine)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Washing tank 4 Outer tank 5 Rotating drum tank 10 Foam separation apparatus 11 Processing tank 14 Bubble supply apparatus 15 Foam tank 20 Drainage port 21 1st flow path 22 1st valve 23 2nd flow path 24 Tip opening 25 Drainage path 30 Drainage port 31 3rd flow path 32 Pump 33 4th flow path 34 Shower nozzle 35 Foam flow path 36 Foam breaker 42 Rotating blade 43 Motor 47 Inner wall surface 61 Water storage tank 72 Electrode

Claims (16)

A washing tub for containing the laundry and washing water and washing and rinsing the laundry by stirring them;
A foam separation device for separating detergent components in the wash water using foam;
A washing water introduction channel for introducing washing water of the washing tub into the foam separation device;
A washing water reduction flow path for returning the washing water accumulated in the foam separator to the washing tub,
The foam separation device is incorporated so as not to protrude upward from the washing tub, and has a processing tub for storing washing water up to a predetermined water level,
The electric washing machine, wherein the washing water reduction flow path has a pump for sending washing water.   2. The electric washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the position of the foam separation device is set such that a predetermined water level in the treatment tank is equal to a water level of the washing water in the washing tank.   The electric washing machine according to claim 2, wherein a discharge port connected to the washing water reduction flow path is provided at a lower end of the treatment tank. The washing water reduction flow path is
One end is connected to the discharge port of the treatment tank, and the other end is a water channel connected to the upper side of the washing tub,
A shower nozzle connected to the other end of the water channel,
The electric washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the pump is inserted in the middle of the water channel.   The foam separation device has a bubble supply means for supplying bubbles from below to the processing tank, and the bubble supply means is disposed in the processing tank and above the discharge port. The electric washing machine according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that The washing water introduction channel is
One end is connected to the drain of the washing tub, and the other end has a water channel having a tip opening that opens upward above the bubble supply means in the treatment tub.
In the middle of the waterway, including a switching valve provided below the washing tub,
6. The electric washing machine according to claim 5, wherein a drainage channel extending separately from the washing water introduction channel is connected to the switching valve. The washing tub is
An outer tub for storing cleaning water;
The washing machine according to claim 6, further comprising: a rotating drum tub provided as a washing / dehydrating tub provided in the outer tub and rotating while accommodating the laundry.   The washing machine according to claim 7, wherein a rotation axis of the washing tub is inclined within a range of 10 to 30 degrees with respect to a horizontal direction so that a front end face is inclined upward. The foam separation device is provided continuously above the processing tank, and has a foam tank tapered upward so that a horizontal cross-sectional area gradually decreases,
A foam channel communicating with an upper end of the foam tank;
The electric washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a foam breaking device for breaking the foam sent from the foam flow path into a solution. The foam breaking device
Disc-shaped rotating blades arranged in a substantially horizontal direction in which bubbles are dropped on the upper surface;
A motor for rotating the rotating blades in order to fly the falling bubbles radially outward by centrifugal force;
A wall surface surrounding the rotating blades, and the bubbling foam collapses into a solution and flows downward;
10. The electric washing machine according to claim 9, further comprising:   The electric washing machine according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising foam detection means for detecting foam sent from the foam tank to the foam breaking device. An outer tub that can store washing water, and a washing tub provided in the outer tub, and having a rotating drum tub as a washing / dehydrating tub that accommodates and rotates laundry and washing water;
A foam separation device for separating detergent components in the wash water using foam;
A washing water introduction channel for introducing washing water of the washing tub into the foam separation device;
A washing water reduction flow path having a pump for returning the washing water collected in the foam separator to the washing tub;
A water storage tank for storing wash water after being used for rinsing in the washing tub;
An electrolyzer for electrolyzing to purify the wash water stored in the water storage tank;
Refeed means for providing a filter, and using the pump provided in the washing water reduction flow path to return the purified washing water stored in the water storage tank to the washing tub through the filter; An electric washing machine comprising:   13. The electric washing machine according to claim 12, further comprising a stirring unit provided in the water storage tank for stirring the stored washing water.   During the rinsing process of rinsing the laundry in the washing tub, a part of the rinsing water is taken out from the washing tub through the washing water introduction channel and introduced into the foam separation device, and the detergent component in the rinse water is separated by the foam separation device. It has a control means for carrying out foam separation rinsing of making it wash and return washing water from which a detergent ingredient was separated to a washing tub by a washing water return channel, It is characterized by things. Washing machine. Further comprising means for detecting the water level of the washing tub,
The electric washing machine according to claim 14, further comprising means for adding tap water to the washing tub based on the water level detected by the water level detecting means during the rinsing step.   16. The apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising: a bubble detection unit for detecting a bubble, and a determination unit that determines the end of the rinsing process based on the fact that the bubble detection unit no longer detects the bubble. Washing machine.

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